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ASCIA: Evidence-Based Versus Non Evidence-Based Tests and TreatmentsA tick bite can leave you allergic to steak
Ticks carry a sugar called alpha-gal in their saliva. Almost every mammal has it in its meat, but humans, great apes and Old World monkeys do not, so a bite can teach the immune system to treat it as foreign. Reactions to beef, lamb, pork or kangaroo usually start 4–6 hours after the meal, which is why the link is easy to miss. Gelatin in some capsules can trigger it too. Australian allergists were the first to describe it.
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ASCIA: Mammalian Meat and Tick Allergy FAQ (2024)A 30-year-old had anaphylaxis after a bee sting. Twenty minutes after one dose of IM adrenaline she feels fine and asks to walk to the toilet. What do you advise?
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ASCIA Acute Management of Anaphylaxis (2026): Positioning of patientsA teenager with asthma and peanut allergy suddenly wheezes and becomes hoarse after eating a biscuit. There is no rash. What comes first?
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ASCIA Acute Management of Anaphylaxis (2026): Anaphylaxis in people with asthmaWhat role do antihistamines play in treating anaphylaxis?
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ASCIA Acute Management of Anaphylaxis (2026): Adjunct medications@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA Acute Management of Anaphylaxis (2026): Availability of adrenaline devicesPainful urticarial-looking lesions persist beyond 48 hours and leave discolouration. Which alternative deserves consideration?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaTwo research paths met at IgE
One team purified the factor that transferred skin sensitivity; another studied an unclassifiable myeloma antibody. When they exchanged reagents in 1967, the two proteins proved to share the same antibody-class markers.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182A worm protein can resemble dust mite
IgE generated against tropomyosin from the roundworm Ascaris can recognise related proteins in dust mites or cockroaches. Cross-reactivity can connect immune responses to organisms that seem completely unrelated.
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Oettgen HC. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016;137:1631–1645@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Action Plan for FPIES@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Action Plans FAQsThe experiment that transferred allergy
In 1921, Prausnitz injected serum from fish-allergic Küstner into his own skin and transferred local fish sensitivity. The experiment showed that a blood-borne factor could carry allergic sensitivity decades before IgE was identified.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182Why does synthetic rubber not trigger allergy to natural rubber latex proteins?
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ASCIA: Latex AllergyA myeloma protein unlocked allergy tests
An unusual myeloma protein helped researchers characterise IgE. Its abundance supplied enough purified material for structural studies and for developing blood assays that measured IgE and allergen-specific antibodies.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182@scrollmed_auAllergy
RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: Urticaria@scrollmed_auAllergy
Australian Prescriber 2019;42:192–199A well child has uncomplicated acute urticaria. What is the usual approach to routine allergy testing?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaRecurrent angioedema occurs without urticarial wheals. Which diagnosis should be considered?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaIgE nearly wore the wrong name
Early purification experiments suggested that the skin-sensitising allergy factor might be IgA. Further separation and testing disproved that idea: the activity belonged to a different antibody class, later called IgE.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182Mast cells can fight venom—in mice
Animal experiments suggest a protective side to mast cells: their enzymes can inactivate venom components. Mouse studies support the idea that IgE-related responses can sometimes defend against venom rather than only cause harm.
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Oettgen HC. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016;137:1631–1645Antibodies can block allergic sensitivity
Before IgE was identified, researchers found that desensitisation increased other serum antibodies that could block transferred skin sensitivity. The idea of protective blocking antibodies predates the discovery of the allergy antibody itself.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Latex AllergyIgE lasts longer when it finds a seat
Free IgE is short-lived in plasma, but IgE attached to mast-cell receptors can persist in tissues for weeks or months. Its location changes how long the allergic signal can remain.
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Oettgen HC. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016;137:1631–1645@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Introducing Solid Foods for Food Allergy Prevention Checklist@scrollmed_auAllergy
Nip allergies in the Bub: Infant feeding FAQs@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Allergic Rhinitis Clinical UpdateIs lactose-free infant formula a suitable substitute for a baby with cow's milk allergy?
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Nip allergies in the Bub: Infant feeding FAQsFor uncomplicated acute urticaria in a child, which medicine is preferred to relieve itching?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaWhich skin-care advice does ASCIA recommend for eczema?
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ASCIA: Eczema and Food AllergyWhich laboratory marker does ASCIA identify as the most accessible and validated for assessing suspected MCAS in Australia?
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ASCIA: Diagnosis and Investigation of Mast Cell Activation Disorders and SyndromeSevere allergic rhinitis remains inadequately controlled. Which specialist treatment should be considered?
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ASCIA: Allergic Rhinitis Clinical UpdateIgE is scarce but powerful
IgE is the least abundant antibody class in plasma. Its very low concentration helped make it difficult to identify, despite its outsized role in immediate allergic reactions.
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Oettgen HC. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016;137:1631–1645An infant repeatedly vomits a few hours after a trigger food, then becomes pale and lethargic. Which diagnosis fits?
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ASCIA: Action Plan for FPIES@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Eosinophilic OesophagitisAn adult reports a mild delayed penicillin rash in childhood, over 10 years ago. What may be appropriate after risk assessment?
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Australian Prescriber 2019;42:192–199An organ can carry allergic sensitivity
Peanut reactions have occurred in organ recipients because donor IgE remained attached to mast cells within the transplanted organ. Allergic sensitivity can therefore travel with tissue, not just circulating blood.
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Oettgen HC. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016;137:1631–1645@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: How to Give Adrenaline Devices@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Venom ImmunotherapyWhich treatment is recommended first line for allergic rhinitis?
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ASCIA: Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Update@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Plans for FPIES, FPIAP/FPE and EoEA food allergy test is positive. What else is essential before diagnosing food allergy?
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ASCIA: Food Allergy TestingThe allergy blood test arrived fast
The first published RAST report appeared in 1967 and tested antibodies against more than twenty allergens. That was before the new antibody class received its official IgE name in 1968.
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Platts-Mills TAE et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2016;116:179–182@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Antibiotic Allergy Clinical UpdateAn adolescent has dysphagia and recurrent food impaction. Which allergic disorder should be considered?
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ASCIA: Eosinophilic Oesophagitis@scrollmed_auAllergy
RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaA patient has a confirmed food allergy and has been prescribed an adrenaline device. Which ASCIA plan applies?
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ASCIA: Action Plans FAQsA child develops hives while taking an antibiotic for an infection. What is the best interpretation?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: Urticaria@scrollmed_asciaAllergy
ASCIA: Eczema and Food AllergyA child develops isolated hives during a viral illness. Which statement is most accurate?
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RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines: UrticariaYou're all caught up
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